Michigan's top teams, No. 10 (tie) Walled Lake Western, Warren DeLaSalle, Mount Pleasant, Ann Arbor Skyline

10. (tie) Walled Lake Western- (9-2 last season, advanced to Division 2 state district final) Top players- Kyle Thomas-5-11, 175-Sr.-QB (run/pass standout, 4.5 40), Cody White-6-3, 190-Jr.-WR-DB (one of the state's best junior receivers, also talented DB, Wisconsin offer), Alex Gammo-6-3, 320-Sr.-OG, John Camilleri-6-1, 165-Sr.-PK-P (Michigan's No. 2-ranked kicker, D-I prospect, definite game-changer as kicker/punter), Tyler Shreve-6-4, 270-Sr.-DT-OT.


10. (tie) Warren DeLaSalle- (11-3 last season, Division 2 state champion) Top players- Allen Stritzinger-6-1, 205-Jr.-DB-RB (one of the Midwest's best two-way junior players, recruited by Big Ten schools), Jordan Asbury-6-4, 270-Sr.-OT-DT (WMU verbal), Tom Evans-6-2, 245-Sr.-DT-OT, Tru Wilson-5-10, 190-Sr.-DB-WR, Josh Wilk-5-11, 180-Sr.-QB-DB, Drew Beesley-6-3, 225-Sr.-TE-DE (Bowling Green State verbal), Austin Potter-5-11, 210-Sr.-FB-LB, Myles Charley-6-0, 175-Sr.-WR-DB. *Special notice (Eric Rogers-6-1, 235-Sr.-LB-WMU verbal, Michigan's No. 7-ranked overall player, is out for the season with an injury).


10. (tie) Mount Pleasant- (7-4 last year, reached Division 3 state district final) Top players- Kaleb Perry-6-2, 185-Sr.-QB-WR-DB (one of the state's best players, will play QB for Oilers this season, but future is WR at next level, WMU verbal), Obie Ricumstrict-6-1, 170-Jr.-WR-DB (big-time D-I prospect at either WR or DB, also All-State baseball player, has CMU offer for both football and baseball), Sean Fitzgerald-6-3, 285-Jr.-OT-DT, Billy Tithof-6-3, 280-Sr.-OT-DT, Hunter Buczkowski-6-1, 225-Sr.-LB-RB (CMU verbal, elite athlete, also All-State baseball player), Logan Buczkowski-6-2, 215-Jr.-LB.


10. (tie) Ann Arbor Skyline- (0-9 last season) Top players- Daelin Hayes-6-4, 245-Sr.-LB-DE-RB-HB (Michigan's No. 2-ranked overall player, out-of-this-world ability, will play all over the field for Eagles, 4.5 40, USC verbal), Hunter Rison-5-11, 185-Jr.-WR-DB (one of state's top juniors, MSU verbal), Charles Jones-5-11, 205-Jr.-LB-RB (Toledo, Bowling Green State offers), Joe Bob Walker-6-5, 235-Sr.-QB-DE (big-time athlete for size, 4.6 40), Guy Brent-6-1, 185-Sr.-WR-DB (D-I prospect on either side of football). *Special notice (Despite being 0-9 a year ago, this is not the same Skyline team. Hayes, Rison and Walker are all D-I level transfers new to the program this season. Last season, the Eagles lost to Westland John Glenn 35-10 in Week 1. In contrast, this year in Week 1, Skyline defeated Glenn 38-14. Should be interesting to watch the development of this squad.).

Michigan's top teams, No. 8 West Bloomfield and No. 9 Chippewa Valley

8. West Bloomfield- (9-2 last season, reached D-1 state district final) Top players- Trishton Jackson-6-3, 190-Sr.-QB (one of the state's best athletes, D-I basketball prospect, projects to WR at next level, but dynamic run/pass QB in high school, 4.4 40, MSU verbal), Evan Foster-6-1, 195-Sr.-DB-WR (Bowling Green State verbal), Anthony Kay-6-4, 275-Sr.-OT-DT, Navon Mosley-6-0, 180-Sr.-DB-SB (quick, explosive player on either side of the football, 4.4 40, Purdue verbal), Davion Johnson-6-0, 195-Jr.-RB (4.5 40), Prince Linus-5-11, 180-Jr.-DB, Jake Phillips-6-5, 280-Sr.-OT, Justin Clark-6-0, 170-Sr.-DB-RB (Toledo verbal).


9. Chippewa Valley- (8-4 last year, advanced to D-1 state regional final) Top players- Stefan Claiborne-6-2, 185-Sr.-DB-WR (one of state's top all-around players, could play either DB or WR at next level, special teams stud, with six blocked kicks last season, 4.5 40, Iowa, Illinois offers), Patrick Briningstool-6-0, 195-Sr.-QB, Darrick Gibson-6-2, 305-Sr.-DT (one of state's best defensive tackles, D-I prospect, runs 4.9 40), Nicco Moroso-6-1, 225-Sr.-DE-LB, Jimmy Czarnik-5-10, 175-Sr.-WR, Jon Anderson-6-2, 270-Sr.-OT, Stanley Williams-6-2, 190-Sr.-DB-WR.


Up next- No. 10-ranked (tie) Walled Lake Western, Warren DeLaSalle, Ann Arbor Skyline and Mount Pleasant.

Michigan's top teams, No. 6 Muskegon Mona Shores and No. 7 East Kentwood

6. Muskegon Mona Shores-(12-2 last season, Division 2 state runner-up) Top players- Hunter Broersma-6-1, 190-Sr.-DB-WR (WMU verbal, 4.5 40), Deandre Oakes-Owens-6-1, 185-Sr.-DB-WR, Darece Roberson-5-9, 170-Sr.-DB-WR (WMU verbal, 4.4), Kobe Burse-6-2, 195-Sr.-DB-WR (Miami, (OH) verbal, 4.5), Tyler Trovinger-5-11, 190-Sr.-QB-DB, Dom Shermeta-5-11, 220-Sr.-LB-RB, Nick Brown-6-5, 230-Sr.-OT, Mike Bordeaux-6-3, 265-Sr.-OT-DT, Christian Boyd-6-2, 275-Sr.-DE.


7. East Kentwood-(11-2 last season, Division 1 state semifinalist) Top players-Trenton Fincher-6-8, 315-Sr.-OT, Marlon Dorsey-6-1, 185-Sr.-DB-WR, Turner Ruby-6-5, 285-Jr.-OT-DT, Jean Paul Nkolo-6-3, 220-Sr.-DE, Vincent Smith-6-2, 245-Sr.-DT, Evan Maday-6-1, 175-Jr.-QB, Jamari Booker-6-1, 175-Sr.-DB.




Up next- No. 8-ranked West Bloomfield and No. 9-ranked Chippewa Valley.

Michigan's top five teams -- No. 5 Saline

5. Saline- Like a few teams on this top five list, Saline has a bit of unfinished business to attend to in 2015. Last season, the Hornets reached the Division 1 state championship game only to lose to Clarkston 33-25. This year, Saline is determined to take that next step -- and capture a state title.


Leading the Hornets (12-2 last season) this year will be senior quarterback Josh Jackson (6-2, 200). Jackson, verbally committed to Virginia Tech, is one of the country's top dual-threat signal-callers. Possessing a cannon for an arm and tailback speed, Jackson is a difficult game plan for any opposing defensive coordinator. On the receiving end of most of Jackson's passes will be senior wideout Jeb Palka (5-11, 165, 4.5 40). Palka, who caught 77 passes last season, is a D-I recruit who has an uncanny knack for finding the seams and spaces necessary to get open on any given play. If Palka is double-teamed, then Jackson has one of the state's best security blankets in big, mobile junior tight end Bryce Wolma (6-4, 225), a returning starter and a high-level D-I recruit in his own right. Upfront, Saline will be led by seniors tackle Tyler Schrzan (6-4, 260), guard Brandon Brown (6-1, 255) and guard Alex Bromley (6-6, 300).


Defensively, returning starters senior end John Raupp (6-0, 195) and junior tackle Sean O'Keefe (6-4, 225) will anchor the front line for Saline. At linebacker, senior Cal Livesay (6-1, 205) returns, while in the secondary, senior Cal Criner (5-10, 175) returns to pace the back end for the Hornets.


Up next -- Quick capsules of teams 6 through 10.

Michigan's top five teams -- No. 4 Detroit King

4. Detroit King- To put it simply and succinctly, Detroit King is loaded with talent. No question. The Crusaders (8-2 last season, first round playoff loss), are poised to have their best year since 2007 when King captured the Division 2 state championship defeating Midland 47-21. The 2007 Crusader squad was led by future NFL players linebacker Nick Perry (USC) and defensive back Chris Greenwood (Albion College). In 2015, King looks to have even more talent than the Perry-led Crusader team.


Offensively, King just might have the finest collection of skill position players in the state, if not the Midwest. At tailback, senior Martell Pettaway (5-9, 210) is a threat to score anytime he touches the football. With 4.5 speed, the West Virginia commit combines speed with power and is one of the most explosive players in Michigan. At wide receiver, senior Donnie Corley (6-2, 195, 4.5 40) is one of the nation's best, holding offers from MSU, U-M, Ohio State, LSU and basically all the big-time D-I schools, while on the other side of the field will be senior Armani Posey (6-2, 205, 4.6 40), another high-level D-I recruit. Both Corley and Posey are outstanding two-way players, with Corley shining at defensive back and Posey at linebacker. At quarterback, multi-talented sophomore El Julian Jordan (6-1, 205) will take the reins of the offense. Jordan takes over for senior Mikale Washington (6-4, 190), an All-PSL performer a year ago after throwing for 1,839 yards, with 27 TDs and four interceptions. A Big Ten-level prospect, Washington transferred to a school in Virginia over the summer. Upfront, King will look to seniors guard Dylan Swanson (6-4, 275), guard Melvin Sylvester (6-2, 285) and tackle Leon Page (6-3, 240), along with sophomore center Josh Mayberry (6-1, 280) to control the trenches.


Defensively, senior tackle Justin Turner (6-3, 255), Sylvester and Page (CMU verbal) will be forces on the D-line, while at linebacker, D-I prospect senior Lawrence Bryant (6-1, 225), junior Cepeda Phillips (6-0, 220) and Posey will form one of the top units in the state. In the secondary, King arguably has the best back four in the country. At cornerback, senior Lavert Hill (5-10, 170, 4.4), a Penn State commit and junior Ambry Thomas (6-0, 180, 4.4), who holds offers from MSU, U-M, Wisconsin, Iowa, LSU, Tennessee and Ohio State, to name but a few schools after his services, form a potent CB combo. At safety, senior Dontre Boyd (5-11, 185, 4.5), a WMU commit and Corley will handle the Crusaders' last line of defense.


On Sept. 26, King hosts PSL rival and the state's No. 2-ranked team Detroit Cass Tech in what should be one of the nation's top games of the year. Last season, the Technicians defeated the Crusaders 39-7. Between both squads, there could possibly be close to 30 future D-I players (from all class years) competing in the contest.


Up next -- No. 5-ranked Saline.

Michigan's top five teams -- No. 3 Muskegon

3. Muskegon- Though the Big Reds might not have even the most talented team in Muskegon (arguably that would be Muskegon Mona Shores, my No. 6-ranked squad in Michigan), what the defending Division 3 state runner-up does have is a burning fire in its belly few in the state can match. For the past three seasons, the Big Reds (12-2 last year) have come tantalizingly close to winning a state championship, only to fall short in the title game. Prior to last season, Muskegon had lost in consecutive years to Birmingham Brother Rice in the Division 2 state championship contest (35-28 in 2012 and 38-21 in 2013), before dropping a hard-fought 7-0 game to Orchard Lake St. Mary's in the D-3 final in 2014. It's safe to say the Big Reds (Michigan's all-time winningest program and ranked in the top 10 in the nation for victories) are tired of making the long trek across the state from the far western shores of Lake Michigan to downtown Detroit's Ford Field in the southeastern part of the state, only to suffer three straight defeats.


Because of its recent history, I'm ranking Muskegon as my No. 3 team in the state heading into the 2015 season. To make matters worse, the Big Reds, for the first time in a long stretch, weren't even the best team in their own city last year. Mona Shores (eventual Division 2 state runner-up in 2014) beat Muskegon in a colossal heavyweight battle 48-27 in Week 9, handing the Big Reds their first loss of the season as the state playoffs loomed. So, as one can see, Muskegon has a lot to play for this season -- possibly more than in usual years.


Of course, the proverbial cupboard is far from bare, talent-wise, within the Big Red program heading into the 2015 campaign. To start with, Muskegon just might have the best offensive line on the west side of the state, and possibly the top O-line in Michigan. Four of the five starters return upfront from last season's state runner-up squad. Returning for the Big Reds will be senior tackle Corion Ross (6-3, 245), senior guard Dylon Oplinger (6-1, 240), senior center Khari Wilcox (6-0, 230) and senior guard Derices Brown (6-1, 255). If that wasn't enough size, experience and talent in the trenches, Muskegon also returns senior tackle Juanye Johnson (6-3, 285), who was injured and unable to play in last season's final. Johnson is being recruited by Big Ten and MAC schools and is the No. 3-ranked offensive lineman in Michigan. At quarterback, the Big Reds will have junior Kalil Pimpleton (5-7, 160). Though diminutive, Pimpleton is an absolute jet on the field and will be hard to find behind Muskegon's massive offensive line. As always, the Big Reds will have speed all over the field, with junior receiver Jacorey Sullivan (6-2, 205, 4.6 40) aiming for a breakout season in 2015.


Defensively, Muskegon allowed just 14 points per game last year and returns five starters from a season ago. At defensive end, senior Jordan Redmond (5-10, 190) returns to rush the passer, while the Big Reds will have plenty of big bodies to rotate at the tackle spots. At linebacker, senior Tarrion Hill-McKay (6-1, 210) is one of the state's best, using his speed to make tackles from sideline-to-sideline. In the secondary, Muskegon returns cat-quick seniors Keyante Carpenter (5-10, 180), A.J. McClanahan (5-11, 160) and Jacarius Scott (6-0, 165), along with Sullivan.


Up next -- No. 4-ranked Detroit King

Michigan's top five teams -- No. 2 Detroit Cass Tech

Michigan's 2015 high school football season is underway as teams complete their first week of practice. Every year, the Great Lakes State fields some of the nation's best teams. Here is a look at Michigan's No. 2-ranked squad, Detroit Cass Tech.


2. Detroit Cass Tech- One of the country's premier high school football programs, the Technicians (12-1 last year) have reached the Division 1 (Michigan's big school division) state semifinals the past four years, winning the championship in 2011 and 2012. Every season, Cass Tech produces multiple D-I college football players, with most years seeing the Technicians send double-digit numbers of gridders to the next level. This season, Cass Tech reportedly has 17 D-I players suiting up for the Green and White.

Offensively, if the Technicians can find a replacement for graduated running back Mike Weber (Ohio State), Cass Tech could have the state's most explosive offense. Led by D-I recruit junior quarterback Rodney Hall (6-3, 210), the Technicians, normally a power running club, could have one of Michigan's most prolific passing attacks this season. Returning at one wide out will be arguably the nation's No. 1-ranked junior receiver in Donovan Peoples-Jones (6-2, 195). Peoples-Jones, being recruited by every big-time college football program in the country, has been clocked at 4.3 in the 40 and has crazy-level athletic talent. If that wasn't enough to make opposing defensive coordinators sweat, on the other side of the field will be senior flanker Marcel Paul (6-1, 175), a 4.4 40 guy who's verbally committed to Cincinnati. Though the skill level talent is through the roof, what makes the Technicians' offense potentially unstoppable will be a massive offensive line filled with D-I prospects. Anchoring the O-line will be senior guard and Michigan commit Michael Onwenu (6-3, 305). At the other guard spot, senior Ostell Martin (6-6, 315) will line up, while at center senior Alvin Clemons (6-1, 265) will hold down the fort. The bookend tackles will be senior Taeshon Trotter (6-6, 300) and junior stud Jordan Reid (6-4, 285), who already holds offers from Florida and Tennessee.


Defensively, upfront Cass Tech should be stout with senior defensive end Eldrick Matthews (6-4, 280), Onwenu, Clemons and Reid taking plenty of snaps, while at linebacker senior Tim Walton (6-2, 225), an Illinois commit, and junior Zach Morton (6-3, 215, Cincinnati offer), will be making tackles all over the field for the Technicians. In the secondary, Cass Tech will have multiple D-I prospects roaming the back end. Leading the star-studded group will be senior safety Demetric Vance (6-2, 200), who runs a 4.4 and is verbally committed to Michigan State. Next to Vance at safety will be junior Jaylen Kelly-Powell (6-0, 185), another 4.4 speedster who is being recruited by all the big name schools. At cornerback will be lockdown junior Donovan Johnson (5-9, 170), another high-level D-I recruit.


Up next -- No. 3-ranked Muskegon.